Dish Network

Get the best Internet connection that you can then get an account on USTVNOW.com for the networks and anything else that you would get from Dish. Then get Netflix and HuluPlus for movies and you will be happier than with Dish.

Dish has been a real disappointment down here. They offered then pulled HD networks. Then decommissioned a satellite which offered HD programming on their movie package. Then immediately after that they raised their rates. They insist on charging us the same rates as in the states for far less programming. They have no real commitment down here. Go with the Internet.

If you called the 800 number and signed up for Dish network "free install", Dish most likely sent the work to a dealer from Puerto Rico. Or a dealer from PR with a storefront in the USVI.

I love the story about the guy being hung up on STJ. I hope you didn't didn't you believe that....... Dish has is own plane or boat to move an installer and equipment from island to island to do installs for free?

Local dealers live, work and pay taxes here in the VI.

The PR dealers are a bunch of "carpetbaggers".

If you want Dish call a local dealer.

Sloop Jones

I am not sure which island you are on JoeyBallgame. But if you are on STX and call Paradise Satillite @ 340-718-2488, you can get an install within a day or two. Web address is www. vistaguy.com or e-mail address alan@dishnetwork.com.

Jumbie-STX

Joey, Sorry to hear about your experience with them.

Thanks Jumbie, It's alan@dishnetworkvi.com though. http://visatguy.com/

Sloop is right. Do not call the 800 # if you want local service. Call someone on island that has been here doing Dish for years. If they won't show up to install, think about service or repair should you require it.

Rotor, All American Direct offered HD networks from Chicago or LA. When that company was sold they made an executive decision that they could not operate and afford the required bandwidth to support HD for the distant networks. The satellite they "decommissioned" (old 61.5) was never really authorized here either. Thanks for the plug!:S

We hear from people everyday that are VERY happy with Dish and Paradise Satellite. HD is FREE for life!!! All 4 networks are now included. ABC, CBS, NBC, FOX as well as CW and PBS. Packages start at $19.99 mo. With a Sling adapter you get TV everywhere. Sling live TV or your DVR to a PC, tablet, phone, etc.....for no additional cost.

The new receiver due out this month will be incredible! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WzzLOCezT2o

Alan
Paradise Satellite
http://visatguy.com/
340-718-2488

I got my first DISH years ago from a local dealer on STT and, to this day, the service has been fantastic.

Rotor, All American Direct offered HD networks from Chicago or LA. When that company was sold they made an executive decision that they could not operate and afford the required bandwidth to support HD for the distant networks. The satellite they "decommissioned" (old 61.5) was never really authorized here either. Thanks for the plug!:S

Don't get me wrong. I like Alan. He does a GREAT job. I know many of his customers and they are all happy with the service that they get from him. He is however a bit disingenuous with his story of the changes that Dish made to their programming last year. BTW, Alan does not control Dish's programming. He simply has to accept it and roll with the changes.

I have been a Dish customer here since 1999.

The networks were originally available directly from Dish. New rules from Congress forced them to spin them out to AAD.

First about the executive decision that All American Direct made to no longer offer HD networks out of Chicago and LA. They didn't just up and decide to end the programming. AllAmericanDirect's lease on these transponders ended and Dish wanted the bandwidth back so Dish raised the rates on the transponders enough so that the HD offerings were no longer profitable for Sobongo/All American Direct. So they ended. After 5 years of getting the networks in HD they were no longer available. Thank you Dish.

Second, about the 61.5 satellite never really being authorized here. When Dish originally came out with HD programming it was all on 61.5 for the eastern arc. You had no choice, you want HD you get it from 61.5. I called and signed up for their HD package. They sold it to me and charged $10 per month for it. They NEVER said they were selling me this programming but by the way this is not really an authorized satellite. For years they sold me HD programming on 61.5. Then they started migrating some of the HD programming to 110. When they took down the 61.5 satellite we lost two thirds of our HD channels. Most of the HD channels that were part of the Premium Movie Package went away. You used to get 5 HD channels from HBO, now 1 channel. Same with all of the other movie channels.

Did they lower their rates? NO, they raised them. They came out with the story that this was their first rate increase in years and there wouldn't be another for 3 years. But unfortunately it coincided with us losing HD networks and HD programming on 61.5. The net result last January was a rate increase plus a loss of HD networks and two thirds of our other HD programming.

Ask dish for a channel lineup card for the Puerto Rico/Virgin Islands package which lists all of the channels that you can receive. They probably won't give you one. Then compare the number of channels that you get with what people in the states get. Then compare what Dish charges you versus what they charge in the states. Same rates as in the states with much less programming.

This prompted me to drop my Dish Premium Movie package and sign up for Netflix and HuluPlus instead. $16 per month instead of $42 per month, and I could not be more happy. Then someone on here mentioned USTVNOW. It's free for the networks. It works great.

I was just responding to this question to point out that if you have a good Internet connection then you have alternatives to Dish.

So, they never called today, so at Noon I called them back and they said I am scheduled for this Saturday am.

I am on STT, otherwise I would have calle Paradise, I've read good things about them here.

So, they never called today, so at Noon I called them back and they said I am scheduled for this Saturday am.
I am on STT, otherwise I would have calle Paradise, I've read good things about them here.

I've always used Satellite Entertainment Systems on STT and, as said before, have had excellent service from them for several years. They've always shown up on time and are a pleasure to deal with. Friends of mine recently went the "call Dish" routine and although the installer (it seems based in PR) did show up within a few hours of when he said he would, and did the job quickly, I'm rather sceptical that if they ever have a problem which requires an on-site visit to fix they'll have good luck with that in comparison to dealing with an on-island dealer.

Rotor, All American Direct offered HD networks from Chicago or LA. When that company was sold they made an executive decision that they could not operate and afford the required bandwidth to support HD for the distant networks. The satellite they "decommissioned" (old 61.5) was never really authorized here either. Thanks for the plug!:S

Don't get me wrong. I like Alan. He does a GREAT job. I know many of his customers and they are all happy with the service that they get from him. He is however a bit disingenuous with his story of the changes that Dish made to their programming last year. BTW, Alan does not control Dish's programming. He simply has to accept it and roll with the changes.

I have been a Dish customer here since 1999.

The networks were originally available directly from Dish. New rules from Congress forced them to spin them out to AAD.

First about the executive decision that All American Direct made to no longer offer HD networks out of Chicago and LA. They didn't just up and decide to end the programming. AllAmericanDirect's lease on these transponders ended and Dish wanted the bandwidth back so Dish raised the rates on the transponders enough so that the HD offerings were no longer profitable for Sobongo/All American Direct. So they ended. After 5 years of getting the networks in HD they were no longer available. Thank you Dish.

Second, about the 61.5 satellite never really being authorized here. When Dish originally came out with HD programming it was all on 61.5 for the eastern arc. You had no choice, you want HD you get it from 61.5. I called and signed up for their HD package. They sold it to me and charged $10 per month for it. They NEVER said they were selling me this programming but by the way this is not really an authorized satellite. For years they sold me HD programming on 61.5. Then they started migrating some of the HD programming to 110. When they took down the 61.5 satellite we lost two thirds of our HD channels. Most of the HD channels that were part of the Premium Movie Package went away. You used to get 5 HD channels from HBO, now 1 channel. Same with all of the other movie channels.

Did they lower their rates? NO, they raised them. They came out with the story that this was their first rate increase in years and there wouldn't be another for 3 years. But unfortunately it coincided with us losing HD networks and HD programming on 61.5. The net result last January was a rate increase plus a loss of HD networks and two thirds of our other HD programming.

Ask dish for a channel lineup card for the Puerto Rico/Virgin Islands package which lists all of the channels that you can receive. They probably won't give you one. Then compare the number of channels that you get with what people in the states get. Then compare what Dish charges you versus what they charge in the states. Same rates as in the states with much less programming.

This prompted me to drop my Dish Premium Movie package and sign up for Netflix and HuluPlus instead. $16 per month instead of $42 per month, and I could not be more happy. Then someone on here mentioned USTVNOW. It's free for the networks. It works great.

I was just responding to this question to point out that if you have a good Internet connection then you have alternatives to Dish.

Pretty good explanation Rotor.

Let me expand on my statement about "authorized".
Until the 30 inch dish, engineered by Dish was released, none of the satellites were "authorized" by Dish Network. You had to buy all your equipment which was obtained from a distributor. Not Echosphere (Dish). All the large dishes you see on island didn't come from Dish. They are Andrews, Channel Master, Raven, Patriot, etc... They were happy to sell you programming from whatever satellite you could get signal on.
Once they decided to really go after the PR and VI market they started leasing you the hardware with a Dish designed Dish500 (119/110).
Hence the term authorized. I can set up sat 118 for someone that wants international channels other than Latino (which is available on sat 110) and Dish will sell them the international but they don't have a dish designed for that satellite here. Works very well though.

HD is no longer $10 if you opt for HD Free for life with CC autopay.

You can compare almost anything to "what you get stateside" and feel jilted here. The fact is we are on the fringe of America and they currently offer all they can with the bandwidth they have on the 2 satellites.

I don't blame anyone for dropping the movie channels and opting for Netflix etc. but for core programming Dish is an excellent value!

Did you see that Hopper and Joey??? :@):-o Primetime anytime! 4 room HD DVR! 2 Terrabit storage! Sling capable! No one comes close!

Alan

Joey,
If you are on STT, call Satellite Entertainment Services,Electronics Unlimited, or S& R Telacommunications. They are all local and have been with Dish for over 10 years.

As far as the PR company, I have seen three installers on STJ come and go in the last 2 years.

sloop

Alan at Paradise Satalite is the best. I'm very pleased with my DISH service and Alan provides outstanding service.

Thanks for the kind words canuck(tu)

For those feeling slighted because the networks are not in HD the following list of cities is in the same boat. It's not just us. And yes,.....they pay the same amount for less. It's all about bandwidth.

- Alexandria, Louisiana - Lafayette, Indiana
- Alpena, Michigan - Lima, Ohio
- Amarillo, Texas - Lubbock, Texas
- Bend, Oregon - Mankato, Minnesota
- Billings, Montana - Marquette, Michigan
- Biloxi-Gulfport, Mississippi - North Platte, Nebraska
- Binghamton, New York - Ottumwa-Kirksville, Iowa
- Bowling Green, Kentucky - Parkersburg, West Virginia
- Casper-Riverton, Wyoming - Presque Isle, Maine
- Charlottesville, Virginia - Puerto Rico/US Virgin Islands
- Clarksburg-Weston, West Virginia - Rapid City, South Dakota
- Dothan, Alabama - Salisbury, Maryland
- Elmira (Corning), New York - St. Joseph, Missouri
- Eureka, California - Tyler-Longview, Texas
- Glendive, Montana - Utica, New York
- Greenwood-Greenville, Mississippi - Victoria, Texas
- Harrisonburg, Virginia - Watertown, New York
- Hattiesburg-Laurel, Mississippi - Wheeling-Steubenville, West-Virginia-Ohio
- Helena, Montana - Yuma-El Centro, Arizona-California
- Jackson, Tennessee - Zanesville, Ohio
- Jonesboro, Arkansas